Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: -2
Chapter Title: Peace Within the Walls
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The pastoral scenery we'd glimpsed from outside was perfectly matched by the housing complex's interior, which carried an atmosphere that nostalgically evoked the peace of bygone days.
It looked like at least fifty households were living inside, all seeming to help one another out.
"How on earth is this..."
"I imagine it's quite bewildering."
Moon Woo-seok, who was walking ahead of me and the Headquarters Chief to guide us, gave a light chuckle as he spoke.
"I know this scenery must be hard to wrap your head around."
Even considering just the original world, this kind of atmosphere could be called normal. But in this horrific dystopia where the Outer Gods whimsically turned people into monsters or straight-up killed them, this peace was inevitably suspicious.
The Headquarters Chief hadn't said much yet, but judging from his grim expression, he was probably thinking the same thing as me.
I've never met anyone as dedicated to saving citizens as the Headquarters Chief.
"From my perspective, it's been so long since we've had visitors that it feels a bit awkward."
"A long time?"
"Yes. In this day and age, finding perfectly healthy people isn't easy."
Moon Woo-seok trailed off with a murmur of, "Just two weeks ago..."
"Ahem."
At that moment, the Headquarters Chief cleared his throat to draw attention.
"By the way, where exactly are you taking us?"
It was a surprisingly polite tone, uncharacteristic of the Headquarters Chief.
Considering how he'd used informal speech even with people older than him back when he traveled with crowds of civilians, it seemed like he was treating Moon Woo-seok as the leader of this group.
"Ah, I forgot to mention. We're heading to the house where the two of you will be staying."
"...Pardon?"
I couldn't hide my bewilderment, pulling a ridiculous face.
"I'm sorry that you'll have to share it... but with the number of available houses being awkward, please bear with us."
"No, that's not the issue. You're just handing over lodging to us without a second thought?"
"Yes, it's fine. I'm no optimist who believes everyone's inherently good, but you two seem trustworthy. If you end up causing harm..."
Moon Woo-seok suddenly stopped and pointed at one of the houses with his finger.
"You can use the room on the left side of the fourth floor in that building. Here's the key... Get some rest, and I'll call for you later."
We ended up climbing the stairs and entering the room.
I'd suggested sneaking around to scout other areas, but the Headquarters Chief shut that down.
The place was pretty rustic, but it had all the basic furniture.
The interior, roughly a thousand square feet, consisted of two bedrooms connected to a combined kitchen and living room.
I perched on the sofa and faced the Headquarters Chief.
"Drawing from all the secretive knowledge your position as Headquarters Chief grants you, do you think this is even possible?"
"No, it's impossible. At least not within anything I know. Escaping the Outer Gods' gaze is simply out of the question."
"And yet everyone walks around under the sun like nothing's wrong. We were fine too."
At the very least, this bizarre power seemed to extend all the way to the outer fence.
"I have no idea how it's possible. But if there's any malice lurking in this little world, I plan to lead everyone out of here."
Well, that's exactly what I'd expected from the Headquarters Chief.
"In that case, count me in."
To be frank, I don't have much attachment to my own life.
I fully acknowledge my responsibility for this whole mess.
I don't know why I'm still alive and kicking unscathed, but if sacrificing myself could save someone, I'd probably act on it without hesitation.
I've got the knowledge for it... and this damn angel.
"Jin-seong."
"Yes?"
"...Thank you."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A week had passed since we arrived here.
After introductions to the residents on the first day, we'd grown fairly close with them as time went on.
Those gazes full of suspicion from those distrustful folks... I'll probably remember them for life.
Anyway, over the past four days, we'd learned the ins and outs of this place's system.
Basically, every morning, adults paired up in small groups to procure food, while specialists like doctors or teachers sat out those expeditions.
Children were naturally exempt from food runs, of course.
And they followed a principle of equal distribution for the rations.
Even the supplies we'd packed into our bags on day one had been confiscated.
It's not like there were zero performance incentives, though—they dished out a bit extra based on weekly results.
How do I know? We took first place.
"Ooh! You've hauled in a massive haul again today!"
"I was worried at first, but Woo-seok-ssi must've had his reasons for letting in Jin-seong-ssi and that old guy over there!"
Honestly, with the Headquarters Chief on our team, anything less than first would've screamed rigging.
Apart from food procurement, the Headquarters Chief seemed to be digging into the village's secrets.
To avoid drawing suspicion, I wasn't conducting any investigations of my own.
"Aren't the people here afraid at all?"
When I asked, even the original residents didn't seem to know why.
The one who'd been here from the start just mumbled something about it being Moon Woo-seok's grace.
"That thing in the sky is way scarier anyway."
"Fair point."
In this dystopia, distinguishing day from night was no easy feat to begin with.
The sky stayed perpetually red around the clock, with nights feeling just a tad dimmer at best.
Going by that metric, it felt like night right now.
Leaving the Headquarters Chief—who'd turned in early—behind, I stepped out because the air inside felt stifling.
Everyone else seemed tucked indoors; aside from the steady distant screams, there were no other sounds, just an eerie wind kicking up dust.
The breeze blowing through the still-peaceful complex carried the stench of blood and ash.
If I'd just done the right thing, this complex—and everywhere else—might've been filled with peace.
Regret changes nothing, but without it, survival would've been even harder.
"Ah, Jin-seong-ssi. What're you up to?"
The moment the wind hit my lungs, someone called my name.
Looking closely, it was Moon Woo-seok.
"Hello."
I greeted him, masking a twinge of guilt.
"What were you doing?"
"Ah, just getting some fresh air... You?"
This was my chance to fish for info on Moon Woo-seok.
"Just taking a stroll myself. Checking for any corroded spots, too."
"Ah..."
"Thanks to you and your colleague, things have gotten a lot better around here. Couldn't have dreamed you'd contribute this much when you first showed up."
Moon Woo-seok grinned cheerfully, then peered closely at my wrist.
"That...?"
"Were you with the Tale Management Bureau by any chance?"
"Yeah. Well, only about six months for me..."
"That explains the skills! Ah, truth is, I was with the Bureau too."
I blinked a few times at the sudden revelation.
"I used to be known as Researcher Moon Woo-seok from the Research Team at the Tale Management Bureau."
Come to think of it, one of the three who'd guided us at first had been introduced as Dr. Moon Woo-seok.
He must not have been a big deal in the game, since I didn't remember him.
"Then feel free to call me 'senior.'"
"Pardon? Even so..."
"Haha, different departments or not, I'm still a Bureau senior."
I couldn't argue with Moon Woo-seok's stubborn insistence and nodded.
And that familiar term "senior" actually drew us closer, fostering a real sense of camaraderie.
It sparked that old feeling of belonging from our Bureau days.
I wondered if he'd keel over upon learning the Headquarters Chief's true identity.
He'd invite me to meals now and then, and we'd chat frequently.
Since we kept up with food procurement, the other residents never voiced any complaints.
Once, we even had a conversation like this.
"Jin-seong-ssi."
"Yes?"
"If there was a system where sacrificing a few made the many happy, would you keep it going?"
The topic shifted right after, so I hadn't dwelled on it then. But looking back lately, it felt loaded with deeper meaning.
A few weeks later, as exhaustion started etching lines on the Headquarters Chief's face, Moon Woo-seok summoned me.
"Senior? You called for me?"
"Ah, there you are."
He'd naturally dropped the formal speech.
He was older than me anyway, so it felt more natural this way.
"I need to talk about the guy who came with you."
"Ah..."
What had the Headquarters Chief been up to?
"You have any idea what he's been doing on the daily?"
"Uh... no?"
Moon Woo-seok's expression sharpened.
"You said you just crossed paths by chance and ended up traveling together."
"Yes."
"Meaning no one knows who he really is."
Something felt ominous.
"I'm bringing this up because lately, it seems like he's been poking around, investigating the place."
How was I supposed to defuse this?
Apparently, a solid month of sleuthing had been more than enough to pique Moon Woo-seok's suspicions.
"Frankly, I'd love to boot him out... but he's your colleague, and his contributions have been top-notch."
I couldn't muster a reply and just swallowed hard.
"So here's the deal: I'd like you to keep an eye on him and help me trust the guy."
Moon Woo-seok wore a razor-sharp expression I'd never seen on him before.